Back story: I've been suffering from severe Major Depression Disorder off and on since I was 11. With depression comes a great deal of uncertainly. I was supposed to go into the US Navy but they wouldn't take me because I can't go off my antidepressants. I had to do the last minute college decision and went to the local community college. I chose the major Respiratory Care but after a few semesters, I decided it wasn't for me. I switched to Paramedic but the same happened with Respiratory Care. I was talked into Nursing so I made the switch. The way the community college I was attending worked was you take all your gen ed classes before you apply to clinicals. I got all my classes done and applied and got in. I had to take clinical nursing math class before I started clinicals. I failed and lost my seat.

I decided it was time to leave the community college and I transferred to a private liberal arts college and changed my major to Medical Technology. My first two semesters went pretty well but I'm missing a math class and I need it in order to take Chem 1. My school only offers Chem 1 in the fall, so I decided to take the math class over the summer. I thought I was doing okay in the class until it was time to take the first test. I bombed it with a 20%. There was no way I was going to pass the class so I dropped. Now I have to change my fall schedule. My mom suggested I get out of the science field because it's only going to get harder with Organic Chem and Biochem. She suggested I change to History because I have always done very well in all my history classes and because I love it. Problem is, I don't know what to do with a History degree. I know for a fact I don't want to teach because: 1. I hate children and 2. I don't have the patience to be a teacher. I'm a very honest and to the point person, so I wouldn't be a very good teacher. The other problem is, my sister has her degree in history but she hasn't done anything with it. I refuse to work my ass off and to put myself in major debut for a degree I can't use. But if I do change to History, I would be able to study abroad and I would be done faster because all the credits that transferred from the community college.

I'm so confused and stressed because I don't know what I want anymore. With Medical Technology, I know I will have a job but with History, I will done faster and out in the real world, which let's face it, it's well past time I am (I'll be 26 in a week and a half). But with history, I would have to get a Master's Degree in order to get a decent job to make the degree count and even then, there isn't a guarantee I will find a job. I'm up for any advice at this point.

TL : DR: I don't think I can do my current major but I know there are jobs there. If I change to a major I can do, I doubt I can find a job in it and will have to get a Master's and even then who knows if I will find one. And if I do, I would have to move to a major city like New York or DC because that's where all the good museums are.

edited to break up the block of text

- It's never too late to change majors. I'm 23 and am just about to get my general AA degree. I changed my major last year from Biology to theater design. I realized science wasn't for me. I've always loved the arts and I don't like sitting at a desk all day, so I wanted to pursue something that was active and artsy. I'll be getting the theater design AS degree next year.

I was considering a history degree before, but you're right - it's hard to find jobs for that degree. Maybe you could minor in something?

If you're going to be unhappy in the medical field and it's too difficult for you, it's not worth continuing pursing that degree.Your strengths and interests lie elsewhere. Have you tried a career personality test? My college offered it and counseling for cheap, and while it didn't help initially (it said I belonged in science related careers), it helped a year later. I reviewed my results and looked at a list of careers. One was Exhibit Designer and I saw the degrees required. One was Theater. This led me to theater design, and I love it!

My best advice is do what you love. It's definitely more financially risky than going the medical route, but you'll be happier in the long run.

I love both science and history, which is the problem. I had to take a world history class this past semester and I earned the highest grade in the class with very little studying. My professor was shocked that I wasn't a history major because I knew so much of the material with maybe an hour to studying per test. But with science, it just blows my mind. I love to learn about anything related to biology. And it's not that I don't think I'd like being a Med Tech, I just don't know if I can do the classes, mainly Chemistry.

I'll look into a career personality test. Maybe my school offers it. I also have an appointment with my psychiatrist next week, so I'll talk to her about it. I think the biggest problem is I don't know what I want.

I'm also considering in Theater and Drama because I have also loved being on stage and acting.

Thanks for the post and congrats on earning your degree!

- You're welcome!

I can understand the not knowing what you want issue. I used to have bad depression and anxiety, until I got on medication last year. Before the medication, I couldn't decide what I wanted to do as a career. Since then, I had a chance to explore who I really am and have found what I enjoy doing.

Unfortunately, your issue is worse, since you're already on medication. Also talk to your psychiatrist about ways you can discover who you are. This might help in deciding something.

Maybe you could find something that combines history and science? Archaeology is something that comes to mind. It's more history (like studying past cultures) but has science elements to it (you have to know the landscape). There are many careers out there that you didn't know existed. You might find something that has almost everything you want!

I think the issues is because I'm between prescriptions. There was a few week difference from my last dose to my doctor's appointment because I got sick and had to reschedule. I am going to be talking to my psychiatrist before I make any decision. Worse comes to worse, I can always make an appointment with my former therapist (I stopped going because I was doing better with just the medicine.

I tossed archaeology around when I was younger but didn't think much about. I think it's defiantly worth looking into.

Like I said, I'm going to take some time and think things through before I make the decision. I just really like my Med Tech adviser and my bio professor, so if I make the big switch, I'll defiantly miss them.

- That's one good thing about college - there's no rush to make career decisions.

It sounds like you have a solid plan. Good luck and I hope you find a career! :)

Thank you! I appreciate your posts. They really did help. Good luck with your field too!

- You're welcome! :)

I did some research and my school has a career support office so I'm going to see them Monday morning and see what they say.

- That's great! If you want, let me know how it goes.

Will do!

You know, just because your sister isn't doing anything with her degree, it doesn't mean you won't. I don't know her, and I don't want to come across as rude, but maybe she doesn't have the drive to do something with it? Maybe she hasn't tried? If you really put effort into finding a job in history, if you have the right advisor or professor to help you, if you really research what's out there in terms of jobs, I think you'd have a fine chance of finding a job with a history degree. Sure, it'd be harder to find a job with a history degree than with a medical technology degree, but hard does not equal impossible. I think inside you already know which one you really want to go with. You just have to decide to do it.

I talked to my other sister about it and she said Nicki (my sister with the history degree) didn't put any effort in finding a job. She also quits when things don't go her way, so you aren't being rude at all. She didn't want to move out of Delaware at the time and I do want to get out here. My other sister said I maybe able to move to Europe since that's where most of my interest is in.

And you're right, it will be harder but I'm looking into schools for a Masters in Anthropology and there are several out there, one at William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA so I would be able to get a job there while going for my Masters. I know what want to do. It's just forming the back bone and doing it. I am going to go down and talk to the career services people at school on Monday and see what they have to say. Perhaps while I'm there, I'll go to the registrar's office and change my major. Thank you :)

You're welcome! Best of luck to you!

I just got home. I went to school and decided to skip the career advisers office and just change my major since I already have a place. I had to get my current adviser to sign the form and while he is disappointed to lose me, I told him how well I do in history and my plan. He said it sounded like I gave it a lot of thought and he he gave me his blessing and wished me the best. Honestly, I feel better already knowing that I don't need to take 5 Chem classes. Thank you for the advice ❤

Sounds like you did the right thing. I'll bet you're feeling excited even now, huh? And you're more than welcome. I'm I could help a little. :)

- Congratulations on deciding on what to do! Based on what you described, I feel like you'll be happier in History.

I know the relief of not having to take certain classes. I was definitely relived to not have to take Calculus with Organic Chemistry (whatever that means) and a boatload of math and science classes when I left Biology.

I'm glad I was able to help! I wish you the best of luck on your school and career! :)

I am feeling more excited. I was pretty bummed I wasn't going to be able to do a full semester abroad. Now I can. I'm stuck between Poland and the UK. Maybe Germany. Maybe somewhere else. Gah I don't know! lmao. But things will start to open up more and hopefully I will be able to graduate sooner.

Thank you! I'm happier already. I'm relived about not having to take 5 Chem classes and Pre-Calculus. Like I said, I feel better. Now I get to decide where I want to study abroad.